Lowrance and Others . . .

[reiner]

The previous owner of my H28 had a 14 month old Lowrance Chartplotter on the boat which died . After he contacted Lowrance he was told they don't repair and he would have to buy a new one. Lowrance sold him a new unit for about half price but without Charts. So I ended up with a new chartplotter without charts. I have been told they are throw-away plotters and they don't cary spare parts or repair. I am not willing to spend money on charts now on a plotter that might die early. What I was wondering is if other companies work the same way or can I buy another brand with a better reputation.
I like Garmin or Raymarine but I don't know if I'm taking the same risk.
Any ideas out there???
Thanks
Reiner

[osirissail]

Only advice is to try to find a unit that will take the main-stream chart cartridges/CD's that are also sold independently of the chartplotter. That way if the chart plotter manufacturer disappears or the model is discontinued you can still get charts from another source.
- - PC computer navigation is more flexible as to charts and programs available with excellent navigation programs varying in price from free to several hundreds of dollars. Charts can be purchased from many sources and are even free from some government agencies (NIM/NOAA) and from swapping with other cruisers. Your lapbook/notebook/netbook computer can run the programs and you can attach a remote computer monitor at your helm or in the cockpit with some wireless mouse/keyboard options.

[witzgall]

Lowrance uses Navionics charts, which you can use on other plotters as well. Just make sure you get the ones designed for that plotter, Ie I think the GOLD level charts.

Chris